Bathinda: Keeping elections in mind, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal today paid a “surprise” visit to Former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh at his residence here. Nandgarh, who is also the patron of the newly formed Akhand Akali Dal, has turned down the offer of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal for an alliance.

He reached the city at 11 am along with AAP MP Bhagwant Maan and headed to Nandgarh’s house where he held a closed-door meeting with the former jathedar for about an hour. Sources said Kejriwal tried to persuade Nandgarh to form an alliance with AAP.

“I have said no to Kejriwal as far as the poll alliance is concerned. He had come to me for seeking my blessings. I told him that my blessings are with him and his party, but we cannot form a poll alliance with him or his party. Our party will be going solo,” said Nandgarh.

“I told him that if AAP comes to power, they should serve the Sikh Panth by punishing those responsible for the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and the ones who killed innocent Sikhs at Behbal Kalan,” he said.

Akhand Akali Dal, a new political outfit comprising various small Akali Dal units (not directly related to Shiromani Akali Dal) was formed on Tuesday. Ravi Inder Singh, who was elected president of the outfit, said they would try to form a strong fourth front to provide an alternative to the mainstream political parties. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, claimed that they had the active support of various Panthic leaders, including former Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh